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Increasing Local Government Capacity through Technical Assistance and Training

What is the Virginia Institute of Government?

The Virginia Institute of Government, established in 1994 by the Virginia General Assembly, provides training, technical assistance, and information resources to its member local governments. Although the Institute operates with a small permanent staff, its capabilities are enhanced by its affiliation with the Weldon Cooper Center for Public Service at the University of Virginia. The Center’s director serves as the Institute’s director, and the Institute draws regularly on the Center’s intellectual and technological expertise to develop and deliver services. Local governments that join the Institute make annual contributions based on population. The Institute began with 60 members and now has a membership roster of over 185 localities.

This is a collection of many of the Virginia Newsletters related to Local Government. A collection like this covers decades of writing about local government in numerous localities around Virginia. We're glad to offer this unique collection to any and all who have interest in Virginia's vibrant political history.

Last November, just after the election of Donald Trump, investigative journalists unearthed three astonishing facts about the spread of fake news — facts that the rest of us had not seen coming and had no reason to suspect.

The Weldon Cooper Center for Public Service at the University of Virginia is pleased to announce that the publication “Virginia Local Tax Rates: 2016,” 35th Annual Edition, is in print and is available through

This Scholarship provides support to an exceptional individual for a period of one year for the purpose of undertaking research either a) as a rising senior or graduate student at the University of Virginia, University of Virginia's Wise campus or any of UVA's regional centers or b) as a Fellow of the Cooper Center.

Could your staff benefit from our onsite courses?

The Institute delivers programs to your locality designed to meet the professional development needs of your employees. You can also partner with other localities in your region to develop customized programs and share the costs. Recently, for example, the Institute has held onsite classes on such topics as Performance Management & Goal Setting; Motivating Employees; Critical Conversations; Continuous Improvement; and Coaching & Mentoring.